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Dominic James Nursing Broken Hand, Out for Start of Season
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Dominic James (hand) won't be available at the start of the season. He is expected to miss a few weeks after breaking his hand during offseason training. James made his NHL debut in 2025-26, registering 15 points (seven goals, eight assists), 56 SOG, and 58 hits in 43 games. The Lightning also won't have Yanni Gourde (hip) until December, opening up a pair of bottom-six spots in the lineup. Conor Geekie and Jakob Pelletier will be among the candidates to fill them.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Tetairoa McMillan Looking To Have Bigger Role in Week 2
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan could see an increased role in Week 2 with Jalen Coker's injury status still questionable. Coker had a breakout Week 1 against the Bears, while McMillan caught five passes for 75 yards and no touchdowns as Coker was the star receiver. After the game on Monday, Coker was seen in a walking boot and is nursing an ankle injury. He is questionable to play against the Falcons and was limited in Wednesday's practice. Should Coker be limited or forced to miss Week 2's contest, McMillan would get a huge boost as the No. 1 target for quarterback Bryce Young. How the split plays out between the two talented receivers remains to be seen but in Week 1 it was in favor of Coker. Look for a bounce back of sorts from McMillan this week.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Yanni Gourde Out Until December Due to Hip Surgery
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Yanni Gourde (hip) is not expected to make his season debut until December. On Wednesday, it was announced that Gourde underwent offseason hip surgery. Gourde had a tough 2025-26 season, posting just 28 points (nine goals, 19 assists) in 82 games. Now he's facing a major setback heading into the new campaign. With Dominic James (hand) also on the shelf, the Lightning have given Luke Glendening an opportunity to make the squad by signing the veteran forward to a tryout contract.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Sam Darnold Will Miss Sunday's Game But is "Killin His Rehab"
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (glute) is actively rehabbing a glute injury that will cause him to miss the Week 2 matchup at Arizona. But Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune says he was on the practice field yesterday in cleats and throwing on his own. The team will not place Darnold on injured reserve, meaning he can come back on or before Week 4. Darnold has been making good progress with his injury, according to head coach Mike Macdonald, who says he's just not healthy enough to play this weekend at Arizona, but "He's killin' it on his rehab. He's doing a lot." Drew Lock has been operating as the backup quarterback for the Seahawks and was able to lead them to a win in Week 1 over the New England Patriots.
Source: Tacoma News Tribune
Source: Tacoma News Tribune
Tyler Seguin Questionable for Start of Season
Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin (knee) could miss the start of the season, according to general manager Jim Nill. Seguin has been cleared for contact following his ACL injury and will be a full participant in training camp, but Nill said it's unclear when he will be ready to play. Dallas opens its 2026-27 campaign on Oct. 2 against the St. Louis Blues. Last week, Seguin also said he wasn't sure whether he would be available for the season opener. Seguin underwent ACL surgery last December, and the typical recovery timeline for such a procedure is about nine months.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Justice Haynes Has High Floor In Week 3
Georgia Tech running back Justice Haynes has RB2 upside in Week 3 against Mercer. Through two weeks, Haynes is the RB22 with 33 carries for 145 yards, one touchdown, and seven receptions for 40 yards and one touchdown. Haynes finished Week 2 as the RB6, logging a career-high six receptions against Tennessee; his previous career-high in receptions also came against Tennessee in 2024. Haynes is unlikely to see many targets against a Mercer team that DraftKings has as a 38.5-point underdog. Through three games, Mercer is allowing 137 rushing yards per game, though they have not faced any FBS teams. Last season, Haynes still put up solid RB1 production in a blowout win against CMU, rushing 14 times for 104 yards and one touchdown. The senior running back should get most of the team's carries in the first half and has a chance to eclipse 100 yards. RotoBaller has Haynes as the RB12 this week, and he should be started in all leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kaiden Guhle Ruled Out for 4-5 Weeks
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle (adductor) has been ruled out for 4-5 weeks. The team provided an official timeline for Guhle's return on Wednesday after it emerged earlier this week that the 24-year-old blue-liner underwent surgery this offseason. Guhle was also limited by injury last season, appearing in only 39 games. He recorded 11 points (two goals, nine assists), 39 SOG, 63 blocks, 86 hits, and a plus-five rating across 39 regular-season games. According to Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis, he has several options to replace Guhle.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Bears QB Caleb Williams Showing Off Improved Accuracy
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams completed just 58.1 percent of his passes last season, but already in Week 1 of this season, the talented signal caller is off to a great start in his passing percentage, completing 72.6 percent of his passes in the Bears' rout of the Carolina Panthers. He completed 21-of-29 passes and that included three intentional throwaways according to Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic. Williams said the difference between last year and this year is not too noticeable, saying, "It's just super small things to be able to be more consistent for the guys, for the team. Be able to keep the offense on the field as long as possible and be as efficient as possible." So far, Williams has made the small changes and it has paid off in the statistical numbers early on this season.
Source: The Athletic
Source: The Athletic
Jason Zucker Unavailable for Start of Season
Buffalo Sabres left wing Jason Zucker (sports hernia) will miss the start of the season, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said Wednesday. The veteran winger underwent sports hernia surgery in the offseason. According to Kekalainen, Zucker could miss "maybe a couple weeks" at the start of the year. Zucker's absence will be felt by the Sabres. He ranked fourth on the team last season with 24 goals and tallied 45 points in 62 contests. With Zucker out, Peyton Krebs is a candidate for an increased role early in the season.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Browns Expected To Sign Receiver Jimmy Horn Jr.
The Cleveland Browns are expected to sign former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr., Jordan Schultz reports. The move will reunite Horn, a Colorado Buffaloes standout, with quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who also played at Colorado under his dad as head coach. In Horn's career, he recorded 11 catches on 16 targets for 108 yards with no touchdowns. He also added eight rushes for 69 yards with a fumble lost. Horn was drafted in 2025 in the sixth round of the NFL Draft with pick No. 208 by the Panthers. He joins the Browns, who have established receivers in Denzel Boston, KC Concepcion, and Jerry Jeudy. Horn will join the practice squad in Cleveland and look to break in with the regular team.
Source: Jordan Schultz
Source: Jordan Schultz
Alexander Nikishin Sits Out Start of Training Camp
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin has not joined the team for training camp. The Russian blue-liner is unsigned and has been linked to a trade. Nikishin became a restricted free agent after his rookie campaign in 2025-26. He had a solid year, recording 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists), 122 SOG, 94 blocks, 132 hits, and a plus-18 rating. Given that Nikishin requested a trade this offseason, he may have already played his final game with the Hurricanes.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Buffalo Bills D/ST Best Left on Benches Against Detroit
Buffalo made enough big defensive plays to survive Houston, but this was hardly a dominant Week 1 showing. The Bills allowed 381 yards and 31 points while recording three sacks and recovering two fumbles. Greg Rousseau's strip-sack in the final seconds was the biggest one, ending Houston's last possession before it could turn into a game-winning drive. Detroit is a much tougher fantasy spot. Jahmyr Gibbs just ran for 156 yards and two touchdowns, Jared Goff did not throw an interception, and Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta remain reliable targets in the passing game. There is one thing working in Buffalo's favor: Detroit will be without two starting offensive linemen. That gives the pass rush a chance to make some noise, especially after getting home three times last week. Even so, RotoBaller has the Bills D/ST 26th for Week 2. The turnover upside is always there, but there are safer defenses to use in a matchup carrying this much scoring potential.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyler Bass Draws Strong Streaming Spot Against Detroit
Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass made his return count. He hit field goals from 46, 34, and 33 yards against Houston and converted all three extra points, finishing with 12 points in his first regular-season game since 2024. Buffalo gave him chances because the offense kept getting into scoring range, and that should be the appeal again Thursday night. Detroit allowed 30 points to New Orleans in Week 1, and this game has enough offensive firepower on both sides to create another busy night for the kickers. Bass also gets to play this one at home after opening on the road. That matters a little more for a kicker whose value depends on Buffalo consistently crossing midfield and stalling often enough to create attempts. RotoBaller has him K8 for Week 2 after ranking him much lower entering the season. He is one of the better streaming options available this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Isaiah Likely Looks to Build on Fast Start
New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely went off on Monday Night Football against the Cowboys, hauling in eight targets for 78 yards and two touchdowns. He led the team in receiving yards while finishing second in targets, just one behind Malik Nabers. Likely showed his athleticism and his scheme fit with new offensive coordinator Matt Nagy designing plays for him similar to the schemes that led to Travis Kelce flourishing under Nagy in Kansas City. He has a tough matchup in Week 2 against the Rams, but he looks ready to live up to the hype and be a true top-10 TE this season in a very heavily involved role with the Giants.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Adam Fantilli Absent From Camp While Awaiting New Deal
Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli missed opening day of training camp on Wednesday. Fantilli is an unsigned restricted free agent and won't join the team before he inks a new deal. Last week, Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said he was "100 percent" confident Fantilli would sign a new deal before camp. Although Fantilli's absence will be a distraction for the Blue Jackets during training camp, the team will likely get a deal done with him before the season starts. Fantilli was Columbus' third-highest scorer last season, totaling 59 points (24 goals, 35 assists) in 82 games.
Source: Reuters
Source: Reuters
